Get Off the Track

Today's happy news from California and Melissa McEwan's comment about hearing "equality coming down the tracks" reminds me of one of my favorite Civil War-era songs: "Get Off the Track." It has a driving rhythm, reminiscent of a train barreling down the track, and reinforcing the idea that progress is irresistible. I'm not sure if I agree with that as an historical philosophy, but it makes for a good song.

"Get Off the Track"
by the Hutchinson Family

Ho! the car emancipation
Rides majestic through our nation,
Bearing on its train the story,
Liberty! a nation's glory.
Roll it along! Roll it along!
Roll it along, through the nation,
Freedom's car, Emancipation.

Men of various predilections
Frightened, run in all directions,
Merchants, editors, physicians,
Lawyers, priests, and politicians,
Get out of the way! Get out of the way!
Get out of the way, every station,
Clear the track for Emancipation.

Let the ministers and churches
Leave behind sectarian lurches,
Jump on board the car of freedom,
Ere it be too late to need them.
Sound the alarm! Sound the alarm!
Sound the alarm! Pulpits thunder,
Ere too late you see your blunder.

All true friends of Emancipation,
Haste to freedom's railroad station,
Quick, into the cars get seated;
All is ready and completed.
Put on the steam! Put on the steam!
Put on the steam! all are crying,
While the liberty flags are flying.

Hear the mighty car-wheels humming,
Now, look out! the engine's coming!
Church- and statesmen hear the thunder,
Clear the track or you'll fall under.
Get off the track! Get off the track!
Get off the track! all are singing,
While the Liberty Bell is ringing.

On triumphant, see them bearing,
Through sectarian rubbish tearing;
The bell and whistle and the steaming
Startle thousands from their dreaming.
Look out for the cars! Look out for the cars!
Look out for the cars! while the bell rings,
Ere the sound your funeral knell rings.

See the people run to meet us!
At the depots, thousands greet us;
All take seats with exultation,
In the car, Emancipation.
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
Huzzah! Huzzah! Emancipation
Soon will bless our happy nation!